Check out The Best Cooking Hacks You Will Use Every Day. Enjoy these quick and easy hacks that will make your life easier and tastier.
Today I have a collection of my favorite Cooking/Food Hacks. I can personally vouch for these because I have used them all! Sometimes it makes life a lot easier when you have a few things to pull out of your magic hat. My favorite ones are the potato tricks because they speed things up big time! Come and check them out and let me know which one is your favorite! If you enjoyed these… more will be on their way SOON!
Thickening Soup or Stew
If you would like to thicken your Soup or Stew without having to use flour or cornstarch… have you ever tried using Mashed Potatoes of Pureed White Beans? Well it works like a charm and adds a bit more flavor to the pot. When you use Pureed Beans… you are also adding more protein and that is always a wonderful thing. Just start with a small amount because you can always add but not subtract. Keep adding a little bit at a time and stir until you get the consistency you want. A great way of using left over Mashed Potatoes. Now if you want to cheat… you can use Potato Flakes and you will get the same results (just remember… a little at a time : )
Making Cutting Sweet Potatoes Super Easy
I HATE cutting Sweet Potatoes… they are so hard and sometimes the knife slips and yes… you guessed it… I get cut … yuck! Well… you can make your Sweet Potato Cutting Days so much easier by just placing it in the Microwave for about 2 minutes before you cut or cube them. That little bit of cooking time does not change the texture but softens it just enough to let the knife go through without a big fight. Use this method for cutting them in half or cubing them to get them ready to be roasted.
Quick and Easy White Potato Hack
Everyone is so busy nowadays so this little hack is going to save you some time and that is always a good thing Microwave your White Potatoes for a few minutes each (if you have large potatoes… go a little longer… about 3-4 minutes) and then cube them to roast or pan fry. They will cook up in half the time. You can also do the same thing and grate them for super quick hash browns or tater tots. Just by cooking them a little bit makes them so much easier to cut or shred and also quickens the cooking time!
Cutting Veg and Fruit with an Egg Slicer
Use the egg slicer to cut strawberries and mushrooms. Quick… Easy and uniform. Of course if you want them really thin… you will have to use the knife : ) But using this size is perfect for fruit salad and roasted mushrooms!
Simple Carrot Cutting Hack
When cutting carrots… slice a thin long piece off the side… that way the carrot will be flat on the cutting board to make your cutting a cinch.
Make Your Oatmeal Creamier
When making Oatmeal on top of the stove… start your oats out in cold water or cold milk or nut milk and bring to a boil… simmer according to your regular directions. It makes for a creamier outcome! For even creamier oats… soak for an hour before cooking.
Microplaned Garlic
I don’t know about you… but I go through garlic like crazy… really… so this little hack makes my life super simple… Microplane Garlic… put it in a jar and pour olive oil over it. Seal tightly! Just scoop out and add to whatever you are cooking. It’s quick… easy…budget friendly and keeps for a month (but if you are like my house… you will be through it in a week : ) Please note… the oil should cover the garlic. When you are done … you can use the oil to dip bread in… cook with… add to salad dressing… make garlic bread and so much more. NO WASTE!
Flavor Bombs
Keep these Flavor BOMBS in your freezer to add to stews… soups… stir fry… and more! The best boost of flavor EVER… trust me!
The Perfect Food Re-Heating Hack
If you want to reheat food perfectly… I personally recommend you get yourself a Chinese Bamboo Steamer. Place some lettuce on the bottom and then place the food you want to reheat on top of it. In a frying pan that will fit the Steam… put about 1 inch of water … bring to a boil… then place the steamer in it with the lid on… lower the flame to simmer and heat for 5-10 minutes or until it is the temperature you love. Nothing reheats better… nothing dries out… it’s perfect!
Get the Most Juice from your Lemons and Limes
If you want more juice from your lemons and limes… place them in the microwave for 15 seconds… the roll them with the palm of your hand on the counter… then cut and squeeze… it makes such a difference! If you have too much juice… freeze it in ice cube trays for the next time.
Quick Wilted Spinach Hack
If you need to wilt spinach quickly… just boil some water… then put a colander in a bowl… place the spinach in the colander… pour some hot water over the spinach and viola… wilted!
Keeping Scallions/Spring Onions Fresher Longer
Want to keep your scallions fresh and perky? Take out a Mason Jar and fill it half way with water and then stick the bunch of Scallions in it and it will stay fresh for days. You can also dice up carrots… celery and radishes and place them in mason jars with water… seal and keep in the fridge for a long period of time.
Apple Storage Tip
Do you store your Apples with other foods? Not a good idea be cause Apples give off an Ethylene Gas and that causes other foods to decay quicker. Apples are delicious… they are just not good neighbors : )
Tastier Pancake Hack
For tastier Pancakes… Substitute Buttermilk for Milk or Plant Based Milk in your Pancake and Waffle Recipe for a richer taste. Try using 1/2 white flour and 1/2 rice flour for a softer… more delicate pancakes. (I personally use Plant Based Milk and making it into Buttermilk is as simple as making Milk into Buttermilk. Simply add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of either milk… stir and let sit for about 10 minutes and VOILA… Buttermilk!)
Hack for Better Tasting Chilli
If you want your Chili to be even more rich and delicious…add some cocoa powder to the pot… start with 1 tablespoon for an average size pot. Simply add it to your Chili right before you put it on simmer or on the low setting of your Crock Pot. Stir it through and let it work its magic as it slowly cooks. It sooooo enhances the flavors. You might want to try adding a little more… but I believe in starting slow. Even adding a shot of Espresso to the pot will be a flavor enhancer… it truly works! (A little tip… don’t do both… espresso or cocoa : )
Veggie Stock Hack
Do you love to make Vegetable Stock like I do? If you do… try this little hack. Get a gallon zip lock bag and place your veggie scraps in it every time you prepare veggies. So if you are having broccoli and don’t use the stems… put it in the bag and place it in the freezer Next time you clean your veggies… take that bag out and add to it with whatever scraps you have… from zucchini ends to mushroom stems… everything into the bag and then when it is FULL… everything into the pot to make veggie stock with your favorite recipe. YUM!
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